Few details emerge about teacher's killing

Friday

Oct 25, 2013 at 11:47 AM

DANVERS, Mass. (AP) — As few details emerged about the killing of a Massachusetts teacher allegedly by one of her students, classmates struggled to make sense of their loss — and understand why it happened.

DANVERS, Mass. (AP) — As few details emerged about the killing of a Massachusetts teacher allegedly by one of her students, classmates struggled to make sense of their loss — and understand why it happened.

Classes were expected to resume Friday at Danvers High School, two days after Philip Chism, 14, was charged with murder in the death of Colleen Ritzer, a popular 24-year-old math teacher.

The school remained closed on Thursday, but grief counselors met with some students.

Police and school officials told about 800 parents at a meeting Thursday night there would be extra safety measures to reassure returning students, including locked side doors, and more police and counselors on hand.

Rabih Chaghouri, whose daughter is a freshman, said he’s confident the school is safe. "This could happen in any neighborhood, any street, anywhere. You never know what goes on in people’s heads."

A student who sat two seats away from Chism in Ritzer’s Algebra I class on the final class of the school day Tuesday said Chism was drawing in a notebook rather than taking notes and Ritzer noticed it.

"She came over and said, ‘I didn’t know you draw,’ and he said, ‘yes,’ then later on, she said, ‘Can you stay after with me?’" Rania Rhaddaoui said. "Obviously, he stayed after because when I was leaving, he was still at his desk."

Rhaddaoui said Ritzer had scheduled a test for Friday, but she was unsure why exactly Ritzer asked Chism to stay after school.

Ritzer never returned home that day. Blood in a second-floor bathroom helped lead investigators to her body, which was dumped in the woods behind the school in a close-knit community about 20 miles north of Boston.

Chism was picked up by police in the early morning hours Wednesday, walking along Route 1 in neighboring Topsfield. His attorney declined to comment outside court Wednesday and did not immediately return a call seeking comment Thursday.

Authorities offered no clues Thursday on Chism’s alleged motive. They also would not say how Ritzer was killed.

Carrie Kimball-Monahan, a spokeswoman for Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett, said the case was still being investigated.

Kaitlyn Nash, 16, went to the school Thursday to be with her friends. She said students who knew and loved Ritzer were still trying to make sense of the slaying. She said she found it particularly frightening that she had theater rehearsal Tuesday afternoon and was at the school when authorities believe Ritzer was killed.

"It’s just terrifying," she said. "I know a lot of people don’t want to go back to school at this point. I know we have to, and we just need to get on with (it)."

Chism had moved to Massachusetts from Tennessee before the start of the school year and was a top scorer on the school’s junior varsity soccer team.

Jean McCartin, a Danvers School Committee member, said the school has extensive programs to help ease the transition for new students who may have problems but there was no information about Chism that would have presented any red flags.

"He just presented himself to us like any other student would," she said Thursday. "And that’s what I think is so hard for the administration right now. You know, their hearts are breaking because they just didn’t know he was in need, if he was in need. … No one knows why he would have behaved in this way and done such a terrible thing."

Students also were puzzled. Chism’s teammates on the soccer team have said he was soft-spoken and nonviolent.

Rhaddaoui said Chism was quiet, and she never saw him raise his hand in math class. She said they were also in the same history class, where he told classmates he spoke three languages: English, Portuguese and Japanese.

Mark Nolan, of Clarksville, Tenn., who coached Chism in a local youth soccer program for several years when Chism was 9 or 10, said there was nothing unusual about him.

"He didn’t stand out; he wasn’t a troublemaker," Nolan said. "He had no problem with other kids. He wasn’t overly aggressive."

Nolan recalled that Chism’s father was in the military and his mother was a social worker. Both parents attended their son’s soccer matches, Nolan said.

Caio Silva, a Danvers High School senior and varsity soccer player, said he knew both Chism and Ritzer. He said he and his teammates are helping each other.

"A lot of the guys are really shocked, a lot of guys are down, really upset," he said.

"It’s just really sad," he said. "A lady that was really sweet and a kid who was really sweet. It just doesn’t really match up. It’s really sad."

The manager of Hollywood Hits Theatres in Danvers said Chism went to the theater late Tuesday afternoon and bought a ticket to see Woody Allen’s new movie, "Blue Jasmine."

Scott Przybycien said police came to the theater Tuesday night and said they had information that Chism had been at the theater. Przybycien said the theater’s surveillance video showed Chism entering the theater at about 4:15 p.m., paying $8.00 in cash for a movie ticket, then leaving the building at about 6:15 p.m., after the movie ended. Authorities believe Ritzer was killed after school ended at about 2 p.m., but they have not released a specific time.

"He didn’t stand out in any way," Przybycien said. "There was no reason for any business to be concerned. He looked like a normal, everyday customer coming in to watch a movie."

Ritzer was described as an enthusiastic, caring teacher who stood outside her classroom and said hello to all students, whether they were in her classes or not.

"She was very approachable," Rhaddaoui said. "She was always smiling. She always made the best of every situation."

Ritzer’s family released a statement Thursday, asking the media to respect their privacy as they make arrangements "to celebrate Colleen’s vibrant life."

Chism appeared briefly in court Wednesday for arraignment on a murder charge and was ordered held without bail.

Ritzer was the second teacher allegedly killed by a student in the U.S. this week. A Sparks, Nev., middle school teacher was shot Monday, allegedly by a 12-year-old student.